The Wizards face the Pelicans in the first game of a two game series. This time, the Wizards are starting on the road.

The Washington Wizards and the New Orleans Pelicans will meet for two games in 3 nights, in an away-and-home format. Here’s the preview.

Game Info

When: Friday, Jan. 3 at 8 p.m. ET

Where: Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, LA

How to watch: LeaguePass

Injury Report

Wizards: Bilal Coulibaly (GTD), Marvin Bagley III, Saddiq Bey (Out)

Pelicans: Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, Jose Alvarado (GTD), Karlo Matkovic, Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram (Out)

Pregame notes

A game that could have draft implications — So yes, there is a team with a worse record than the Wizards! It’s the injury-riddled New Orleans Pelicans with two of their All-Stars out and a few of their key rotation guys missing significant time as well. The Pelicans sport 5 wins so far this season, and the Wizards just scored their 6th. If the Wizards win both of these games they could create some dangerous separation from that coveted worse-record in the NBA…

Poole — Jordan Poole has actually had some decent stats recently. Perhaps this means the Wizards can finally move him in the deadline? Let us know in the comments.

On the road — This could be the Wizards’ second road win. Their current road record is 1-12! By the way, the Pelicans are at 1-15… So this could very well be the Wizards’ very best chance for a 3-game winning streak this season.

Flashback: KCP and Dinwiddie lead the Wizards to victory

A good couple years ago, the Wizards employed Spencer Dinwiddie and KCP. And they handed the Pelicans a good fight and a loss in D.C. Here are the highlights: